The Region - News from Jan. 1, 1987

Major crimes within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department rose by 5% in 1986, led by an 18% increase in auto thefts, Sheriff Sherman Block said. Homicides in the unincorporated areas of the county and in the 36 contract cities patrolled by deputies rose from 330 in 1985 to 351 in 1986, a 9.4% increase. The number of gang-related homicides changed little, increasing from 58 to 59, while crimes committed by one gang against another dropped from 484 incidents in 1985 to 433 in 1986, Block said. The total number of felony assaults in the county jumped 28%, but Block said much of the increase was due to revised state laws that require officers to include as felonies virtually all acts of domestic violence. Major crimes in the city of Los Angeles rose by more than 4% in 1986, much of it attributable to increased narcotics trade and gang violence.